Clutch



Nov. 24, A1942. M, EAsoN -CLUTCH Filed sept. Y4, 1940 2 sheets-sheet '1 l www 'v Nov. 24, 1942. i

`CLUTCH Y Filed sept. 4, 1940 Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1942 f acoazoi CLUTCH Y ClarenceM. Eason, Waukesha, Wis. Application september 4, Amaserati No. 355,331

18 Claims.`

'I'he present invention relatesY to friction clutches of the disc or plate type used for controlling the transmission of power from a driving member to a driven member. The-present invention embodies improvements .over the constructions disclosed in my prior Patent, No. 2,177,362 issued October 24, 1939, and in my prior Patent No. 2,259,461 issued October; 21, 1941.

More particularly, the present invention is concerned with clutches having a clutch disc which is flexibly mounted and flexibly connected so as to provide for free shifting movement `of the disc inthe engaging and releasing of the clutch, and also to accommodate a. relatively large degree of misalignment between the clutch parts.

This is accomplished throughv a unique relation of flexible attaching arms extending from. the

bolted or other attachment at their ends tothe 'driving oridriven part'of the clutch. These arms preferably extend in a generally circumferential direction from the periphery of the clutchA disc, and afford a very flexible mounting 'and driving `relation for the disc, whereby the disc can be 'readily shifted Vin the engaging and releasing of the clutch and deected laterally for accommodating misalignment between the clutch parts.

In the early form of myinvention disclosed in my prior'Patent No. 2,177,362, the friction gripping portion or the disc portion proper was first constructed as a one-piece continuous ring. YIn such one-piece construction, the torque stresses acting at any one point in the disc were always distributed to allother points in the discpso that no one portion of the disc tended to become twisted or distorted radially inwardly or outwardly relatively to any other portion ofthe disc.

In the later form .of my invention illustrated in my aforementioned prior Patent No. 2,259,461, I departed from the earlier one-piece constructionand divided the clutch disc into a plurality of segmental sections,'which segmental construction has the advantages of affording even a greater degree of lateral flexibility, and also of enabling the clutch disc to be readily removed in sections out'through the periphery of the clutch assembly whenever it is desired to reface the friction material on the disc, or to make any adjustments or repairs. In the segmental Vconstruction herein` shown, there' are preferably four segments, and each segment preferably' has two circumferentially directed arms extending there- (ci. 19a-ss) construction, the various load stresses, Suchbeing the torque stress primarilyand the Vcentri-- fugal stress secondarily, tend to twist or cock the periphery of the clutch disc and adaptedA to have y from for receiving the attaching bolts,Y although -this exact construction is not essential.

However, I have found that in this Vsegmental l etc.

segments in a radial direction relatively to each other or relatively to the circular continuityof the disc in its'entirety. That is to say, the torque load establishes a rotative component in each segment tending to rotate 4the segment in'a radial plane approximately around the centers ofthe mounting ,bolts which pass through the ends'of y the attaching arms. This rotative component tends to causevthe trailing endl of'each Segment Y to be forced radially outwardly, and also tends to cause an objectionable separation betweenthe edges of adjacent sections. These forces resultin` uneven wear, and mayshorten theweffective life Vof the disc. If it is attempted to avoid suchdifiiculties by constructing the segmentsv andn their circumferential mounting arms of extremely heavy or'stiff stock, then the arms do not have l the required exibility which is so desirable for accommodating misalignment, shifting. etc.

One of the lparticularfobjects of the present invention is to avoid the foregoing difficulties' by providing an improved arrangement of interlocking means acting between adjacent segments. This interlocking means comprises stop means for resisting the rotative component which tends to twist the trailing ends of the segments out- V wardly, and alsol comprises tie'means fory resisting the spreading forces which tend to separate` the segments. This combined form of stop meansl and tie means -.establishes a tension sustaining connection between adjoining segments which results in `a very high degree vof hoop strength being given the complete assembly of segments, whereby the assembly is greatly strengthenedV against separating' stresses, centrifugal stresses,

VMy improved tie` andstop connection effectively prevents the uneven wear referred to above, while/still permitting the segments to. be Y conveniently removed radially out through the periphery of the clutch assembly when it is desired to reface the friction material, etc,

V Another featureof the `invention resides in an limproved joint which is formed betweenthe advjoining edges vof adjacent segments. VvThis im-A provedjoint keeps the segments in an accurate ledge-to-edge relation, to prevent fore or aft displacement of one segment relatively to another, while still leaving the segments free to slide substantially radially relatively to each other, for accommodating the edgewise removalof the segments out from the periphery of the clutch asserribly.V In therspreferred embodimentfof this lng segments `:aand

2 feature, the joint is of the tongue and groove variety, wherein oneI radial edge of each segment forms the tongue, and wherein the friction linings are arranged to project from the other radial edge to form the groove, the latter receiving the tongue of thenext adjoining segment. l

.Another feature of the invention resides in an improved adjustable mounting means to which are secured the flexible arms extending circumferentially from the segments.' This improved mounting means Vgreatlyfacilitates the making of fore and aft adjustments of the anchoring points for the ends of the flexible arms, such adjustments enabling the segmental disc to be accurately positioned fore and aft between the front and rear clutch plates which engage the front and rear sides of the segmental disc. The orig--` inal assembly of the clutch is decidedly simplified by the provision of such adjustableA mounting means.

These and other features invention will appear from 'description of one preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawings illustrating such embodiment: Figure 1 is an anxial sectionalview taken approximately on the plane vof the line I--I -of Figure 2, showing my improved clutch embodied in a power take-off unit;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the clutch disc showing the various segments in their normal operating relation, this view corresponding to a section taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on a larger scale of one of the adjustable mounting sleeves and cap screws which secure the'exible arms of and objects of the A the disc segments to the flywheeL this view be'- ing taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view showing one of the disc segments being displaced the following detail outwardly in a more or less radial direction, such representing the manner of separately removing the segments from the clutch assembly;

Figure 5 is a transverse detail sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is afragmentary detail view of one of the interlocking mechanisms between adjoin- Figure 7 is a detail sectionalyiew taken approximately on the plane-of' the line 1--1 of Figure 6.

Referring to Figure l, the clutch 8 is adapted to be secured to a rotary member 9, which may be either a driving member or a driven member. When theclutch is. embodied in a power take-off unit or is"`therwise-employed to control the transmission of power from an internal combustion engine, the rotary member 9 is preferably the flywheel of the engine, showny as being secured' to'a ange on the engine crankshaft by the bolts or screws II. In such embodiments of the invention, the segmental disc above referred to constitutes the driving element of the clutch, the same being designated I2. The driven portion of the clutch comprises the front and rear clutch plates I3 and I4, which are adapted to be contracted together against the front and rear sides of the driving disc I2. The rear or outer clutch plate I4 is formed integral` with a hub I5 which is keyed to the front end of the driven shaft I6. The keyed relation of the hub I5 on this tapered flange portion are the shaft I6 is secured by a longitudinal key I1 '15 a tending across said and also by a wedge t of the hub I5 over the tapered portion I8V of the shaft, such wedge fit being effected by a nut I9 which screws over a threaded forward portion of the shaft. The front extremity 2| of the shaft has pilot mounting in a pilot bearing 22 carried within a bore formed in the hub of the flywheel 9.

The front or inner clutch plate I3 of the driven pair I3-I4 is mounted for sliding movement toward andl away fromthe outer clutch plate I4. A plurality of compression springs 24 which are seated in pockets in the opposing faces of the clutch plates at angularly spaced points around the clutch tend normally to shift the inner clutch plate I3 to-an inward, clutch-releasing position. The clutch is engaged through the instrumentality of a plurality of pull pins 21 which are dis posed at angularly spaced points around the clutch assembly. 'I'hese pull pins slide in aligned guide apertures 28 and 29 formed in the clutch plates I3 and I4, respectively, and the inner end of each pull pin is formed with an enlarged head 3I which abuts against the inner end of a guide boss 32 projecting inwardly from'the clutch plate I3. The opposite or outer end of each pull pin is slotted transversely, as indicated at 33, and 4exslot is a pivot pin 34. Pivotally mounted in each slot 33 on the pin 34 is the apertured inner or forward end 33 of a toggle rocker 35. It will be understood that there is one of these toggle rockers 35 for each pull pin 21. 'Ihe opposite or outer end of each toggle rocker hasan apertured eye 31 for receiving a knuckle pin 38. 'Intermediate these apertured inner and outer ends, the toggle rocker is formed with an abutment shoulder or fulcrum 33 which is adapted tohave rocker bearing engagement against., an adjustable abutment ring 4I. Said ring 4I has an internally threaded bore which screws over an Vadjusting .thread 42 formed ex- 4 `ternally on a ring 43.

44 of the key I1. A plurality of worm'wheel teeth 45 are out around. the outer periphery of the abutmentgring 4I, and meshing with these teeth is a shortadjusting worm 46 which is rotatably mounted on a short bearing shaft 41. Theends of the shaft 41 are Vmounted in two lugs 48 disposed relatively close rearwardly from the driven clutch plate I4. Rotating withthe worm 46 is a notched wheel 5I, into the notches of which snaps a detent spring 52 which is secured to the driven clutch plate I4 by tion of the notched wheel 5I will rotate the worm 46 and thus revolve the abutment ring 4I either forwardly or backwardly along the thread 42 of the upper or inner end of a toggle link 58. The outer end of each toggle link has pivotal mount-K ing on a pivot pin 59 carried by the shiftable clutch operating collar 6I. The forward portion of this clutch collar is of generally tapering section, and formed at angularly radial slots 63 forreceiving the toggle links 58. Pairs of radially together and projecting..

the screw 53. It will be evident that rotaspaced points in projectinglugs or ears 64 extend outwardly on each side of each slot 63 for receiving the transverse pivot pins 59 on which the toggle links 58 are mounted. Shifting vmotion is imparted to the clutch collar 6| through a shifter fork 66 which is mounted on a transverse operating shaft 61, and which is formed with notched fork arms 68 that embrace shifter lugs 1| projecting laterally from a shifter ring 12. This ring is a diametrically split ring, which has its two halves bolted together over a radial flange 13 projecting from the shifter collar 6|. V

In the operation of this clutch actuating mechanism, it will be evident that whenl the knuckle pivots 38 of the three or more toggle assemblies employed are oscillated in an inward direction toward the axis of the shaft I6, such motion of Ythe toggle rockers 35 creates a rocker motion about the fulcrum points 39, which causes the pivots 34 to pull the pull pins 21 outwardly or rearwardly for engaging the clutch. Such inward oscillation of the knuckle pivots 38 is eiected by the shifting motion of the shifter collar 6| in a direction toward the clutch assembly. To

release the clutch, the shifter collar 6| is shifted i.

outwardly, in a direction away from the clutch assembly, with the result that the lgnuckle pivots 38 are permitted to oscillate outwardly in a direction away from the axis of the shaft I6. 'I'his takes the heavy rocking pressure off the fulcrum c points 39, permitting the pull pins 21 to shift inwardly or forwardly under the energy of the release springs 21, in consequence of which the Y, clutch assumes a released position. It willV be noted that the knuckle pins 38 can be oscillated a'.

inwardly to a position which disposes them either in or slightly beyond a position of dead center alignment with the outer pivots 59, in which.

dead center or over center relation the clutch will remain engaged without the necessity of having to maintain the engaging pressure on the manual control which operates the actuating shaft V61. When it is desired to adjust the clutch to compensate for wear of the clutch lining, or to advance or retard the time of clutch engagement relatively to the motion yof the control pedal or control handle, it is only necessary to open the spring cover 55 and to rotate ,the serrated wheel 5| for shifting the fulcrum ring 4| backwardly or'forwardly.

Referring now to the construction of thesegmental disc` I2, it will be seen from Figure 2 that the disc is made up of a pluralityof segments 15, from which project the circumferentially extending iiexible arms 16, 16. The direction of rotation is represented as being clockwise (see arrow a in Figure 2), andwhen-the disc l2 is th'e driving element the arms or fingers 16, 16'

extend forwardly in the direction of rotation,' so that they driving torque always places these arms under tension. In the preferred construction illustrated, the disc is divided into four/segments, and each segment is provided with two arms or lingers, consisting of a leading arm 16A and a trailing arm 16', although this specific number of segments and number of arms is not essential. Secured to the front and rear sides of each disc segment are the arcuate pieces of clutch lining material 11, the attachment being effected by rivets or screws 18 in conventional manner.

Each segment 15 and its integral, mounting arms 16, 16' is preferably stamped out of sheet metal stock, such as a suitable steel of the appropriate composition, temper and gauge as t0 enable the mounting arms to, iiex the required rearwardly Vfrom said plane. l

the clutch, all eight stop sleeves 84 are adjusted amount for engaging and releasing the clutch,

and accommodating misalignment. Itis preferred that the grain of the metal run substantiallyin the same direction in each of the two resilient arms or fingers 16, 16', and to this end the successive stampings can all beV punched out in end-to-end relation from strip stock of a width substantially equal to the'width of each stamping. This is fully disclosed in myprior Patent No. 2,259,461, and attention is also directed there-1` to for a description of the advantagesattained by shaping the fingers 16, 16'A with the particular outline illustrated in Figure 2. The outer'end of each flexible mounting finger or arm is apertured to receive a bolting thimble or bushing 8|. As shown in Figure 3, each bolting thimble or bushing is formed with a reduced inner end 8| which is passed through the aperture in the mounting finger and is then peened over to rivet the thimble to the nger.

The improved adjustable mounting means for mounting the apertured outer end of each of these flexible mounting fingers comprises a cap screw 83v and a threaded sleeve 84, as clearly shown in Figure 3. One of these assemblies is provided for the outer end of each finger 16, 16'. The threaded shank portion of the sleeve 84 screws into a tapped bore 85 formed in the flywheel 9. 'I'he cap screw 83 passes through the thimble 8| and through the sleeve 84 and taps into a threaded bore `86 of smaller diameter, extending co-v extensively from the inner end of thethreaded bore 85. The sleeve 84is formed with anenfl larged head portion 84 which serves 4as an adjustable mounting stop kfor determining the position of the apertured endof each mounting nger 16, 1E. The periphery of the enlarged head 84' is of hexagonal formation to receive a wrench by which the sleeve 84 can be screwed inwardly or outwardly in the bore 85 to adjust the fore and 'aft position of the abutment head 84'; The stop y clutch discs `I3 and I4, thereby adjusting for wear of the clutch linings 11, or adjusting for throw cf the clutch control member. In the. preferred construction illustrated, the released position'r of each segment 15 coincides with the transverse Y f plane of the anchored outer ends of the fingers 16, 16', although, if desired, these fingers might be given a set so that the released position 1'l of the segment would bedisplaced forwardly from the transverse plane of the ends ofthe fingers as far as the engaged position e would be displaced to dispose their stop surfaces in the same transverse plane. This iseasily accomplished by ex-,

tending a gauge bar dilametrically across therear edge 88 of the flywheel housing 89 (Figure l),V

this gaugebar having a calibratedvstop against which the sleeves 84- are adjusted as the gauge bar is revolved around the edge of the flywheel housing. An arcuate opening ,9| is formed in the upper part of the flywheel housing 89, this open- In the; assembly of ing being normally closed by any suitable cover* which are prvidedat the adjoining edges of each pair of segments, it will. be seen'from Figure 5 that the trailing edge'of eachgsegment extends beyond the corresponding edges of. the clutch lining 1T, thereby forming a projecting central tongue 95; also, that at the leading edge of each segmentthe edge of the segment itself is set back from the corresponding edges of the clutch linings 11, thereby forminga central groove 96, for receiving the tongue 95 of the adjoining segment. It will be evident that this tongue and groove joint 95, 96 will hold the edges of adjoining segments against any substantial displacement in a lateral or axial direction. Each tongue and groove joint extends Valong a radial line, or along a line slightly offset from a radius but rparallel thereto, such a radial lineV being represented by the section plane of Figure 2. Hence, any two segments ycan be slid substantially radially with respect to the other two segments in the operation of removing ,the segments from the clutch assembly, as I shall presently describe.

Referring now to the improved interlocking means which establishes an interlocked relation between the adjoining disc segments, while still permitting the segments toberemoved peripherally from the clutch assembly, this interlocking means includes a circumferential lock inthe form of `a loop or tie link 88 carried by'each disc segment and adapted to hook down over a lug 99 carried by the next segment; and said interlocking means also includes a radial lock in the form of Van outer abutment shoulder |0| carried by each segment and adapted to overlie and corinne an inner abutment shoulder '|02 carried by the next segment.1 I The' tie `link 98 in the form of a'U -shaped stamping which has its 'side portions rigidly anchored by rivets |03 to a'lug |04 projecting outwardly from each segment adjacent to theV leading vedge of -the segment. The tie loop 98 extends substantially circumferentially from the lug |04 in the direction 'of rotation, and is disposed directly inside of the bolted a end of the mounting finger 18 of that particular segment. The loop end of each of these tie links is adapted to slip down over the hook lug 99 which is formed integral with the next segment. This hook lug is in the form of a` radially extending projection formed integral with each disc segment adjacent to its trailing edge, the forward edge of said lug being defined by the slot into A which the forward end of the strap loop 98l hooks. The slot |05 is preferably milled to provide a close accuracy of fit of the parts. It will be evident that the hooked engagement of the tie link 98 over the lug' 99 provides a tension resisting connection between adjacent segments which has very large hoop strength for resisting'all spreading or separating stresses between the segments. At the same time, the tie link is free to slide radially outwardly oi the endof the hookY lug 99 in the operation of removing the disc segments, as shown in Figure 4.

Referring now to the radial locks |0|, |02, the outer abutment shoulder |0| is formed on the inner surface of the tie link 98 at ,the outer-y extremity thereof. This shoulder overlies theA inner abutment shoulder |02 Von- -the next .ad-

of the circumferential lock -is i the disc.

joining segment, saidv` .inner shoulderV being formed at'the inner end of the milled slot |05 (Figure 5). By virtue of this radial lock I0|, |02, any rotative stress tending to cock or twist one of the segments in a radial plane is transmitted on to the next segment, whereby these stresses are conned and resisted within the circular series of segments. As heretofore remarked, the load' torque transmitted through -the clutch establishes a rotative component in each disc segment tending' to swing the segment backwardly around the centers of the mounting bolts 83 or around a virtual' pivot therebetween. This rotative component tends to swing the trailing edge of each segment in an outward direction in the plane of rotation of y However, it will be evident that such outward force at the trailing edge of the segment presses the inner abutment shoulder |02 outwardly against the outer abutment shoulder |0| so that this outward force is transmitted tothe leading edge of the next succeeding segment, whereby the force is resisted by or balanced within the next segment and hence does not strain or distort the flexible fingers, 18'.

Inv removing andreplacingthe disc segments, the mounting vbolts or screws 83 are first removed, access thereto being had thru the hinged cover 55 or down through the upper opening 9|. This upper opening 8| is of sufficient anguy lar length to enable the segments to be liftedout through said opening. In the operation of revleasing'ther tie` links 98 from the hook lugs 99,

. shifted upwardly as a unit, in the manner shown in Figure 4. 'This lifts the tie link 98 `of the upper left-hand segment' off of its respective hook lug 89, and also draws the hook lug 90 of the lower left-hand segment upwardly out of its respective tie link 98. After this pair of segments has" been-freed in this manner, the two ,segments'ofV said pair are then separated and withdrawn individually through the opening 8|.

The other pair of segments is now, ofv course, to be separated and vwithdrawn in like manner.

The replacing of the segments back between the` driven clutch plates I3, `|4 is a mere reversal rof the operation of removing the segments. The

pull pins 21 are preferably limited in number to three tor afford that much more central space to accommodate the shifting of the segments in their removal and replacement.

While IL have illustrated and described what I regard to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, nevertheless it will be understood that such is merely exemplary, and that numerous modifications and rearrangements may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a clutch adapted to connect twov rotary members, the combination of a clutch disc carried by one of -sald rotary members and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary member, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segmental sectionsy adapted to be removed from the clutch assembly o in separated relation, each of said segments comprising a flexible attaching finger extending therefrom for attachment to one of said rotary members, and interlocking means carried by said segments serving lto transmit stresses fromone of said segments to another, said interlocking member, said clutch means being slidable into and out of cooperative interlocking engagement. A

2. In aclutch adapted to connect two rotary members, the combination of a clutch'disc carried by one of said rotary members and Aadapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary member, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segmental sections adapted to be removed from Vthe clutch assembly in separated relation, each of said segments comprising a mounting arm extending outwardly therefrom for attachment to one of said rotary members, and interlocking means establishing a circumferential lock between said segments while still permitting the separation of said segments for removal from the clutch assembly, said interlocking means comprising portions carried by said segments formedfor sliding into and out of cooperative interlocking engagement.

3. In a clutch adapted to connect two rotary members, the combination of a clutch disc carried by one of said rotary members andadapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary member, said clutch disc com'- prising a plurality of segmental sections adapted to bel removed from the clutch assembly in separated relation, each of said segments comprising a flexible attaching arm extending therefrom V`efor attachment to one of said rotary members,

and interlocking means establishing a. radial lock between said segments 'while still permitting the separation of said segments for removal from the clutch assembly, said interlocking means comprising cooperating interlocking'members carried by their respective segments and movable out of interlocking engagement by predetermined relative movement between said segments.

4. In a clutch adapted to connect two rotary members, the combination of a clutch disc carried by one of said rotary members and adaptedto engage a cooperating clutch lelement carried by the other rotary member, said clutch' disc com-Y prising a plurality ofsegmental sections adapted to be removed Yfrom the clutch assembly in separated relation, each of said segments comprising a flexible attaching' arm extending from the periphery of the segments, means for attaching said arms to one of said rotary members, and interlocking means establishing a circumferential lock and a radial lock between said segments while still permitting the separation of said segments for removal from, the clutch assembly, said interlocking means comprising cooperating interlocking members formed rigidly segments and movable into and out of interlocking engagement by predetermined relative movement between said segments.V

5. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combination of a clutch disc carried by one of said rotary members and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary disc comprising a plurality of segments adapted to be removed from the clutch assembly in separated relation, and interlocking means joining said segments against predetermined stresses while permitting predetermined edgewise motion between said segments to effect their separation, said interlocking means comprising cooperating interlocking members constructed as rigid portions of their respective segments and slidable into interlocking engagement with each other.

6. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combinaand out of cooperative v with their respective ber, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segments adapted tokbe removed substantially edgewise in separated `relation from the periphery of the clutch assembly, each of said segments comprising a plurality of flexible attaching arms extending in a generally circumferential direction from the periphery of the segments', means for attaching said arms to one of said' rotary members, and a circumferential lock between each pair of adjacent segments comprising a hook` lug carried by each segment adjacent to its trailing edge, ,and a U-shaped link carried by each segment adjacent to its leading edge, the U- shaped link of each segment' engaging over the hook lug of the next adjacent segment.

9. In- 'a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combination-of a clutchV disc carried by one of said and adapted to engage a coopermember to another,` the com-v ating clutch member, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segments adapted to be removed substantially edgewise in separated relation from the periphery of the clutch assembly, a exible mounting arm extending from each of said segments and having attachment to one of said rotary members, and a radial lock acting between each pair of adjacent segments comprising an inner abutment shoulder carried by each segment adjacent to its trailing edge, and an outer abutment shoulder, carried by each segment adjacent to its leading edge, said outer abutment shoulder overlying saidinner abutment shoulder and preventing the trailing edges of said 'segments from being coclredy outwardly relatively to the leading edges thereof.

l1. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combination of a clutch disc 4carried. by one of said rotary members, and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carriedby the other r'otary f member, said clutch disc comprisinga plurality of segments adapted to be removed from the clutch assembly in separated relation, a circumferential lock between each-pairV of adjacent segments comprising a hook member carried by each segment and a loop member carried by each segelement carried by the other rotary adjacent segmentsV when installed in operative v relationship.

' 14. In a clutch adapted to connect a flywheel and a driven shaft, the combination of a pair of driven clutch plates carried by said driven shaft adjacent the plane of the outer edge of said flywheel, a driving clutch disc disposed between said plates and adapted to be engaged thereby, said clutch disc being formed as a plurality of separately removable arcuate segments having theirA contiguous or meeting edges extending substantially radially of the disc, a pair of flexible attaching arms for each segment having their inner ends formed integrally with the segments and having their free ends extending in a generally circumferential direction spaced outwardly from ment, the'loop member of each segment engaging over-the hook member of the next'adjacentsegment, and a radial'lock between each pair of adj acent segments comprising an inner abutment shoulder carried by one of said segments and an vrately removable and replaceable in the clutch assembly, each of said segments comprising a plurality of attaching arms extending in a generally circumferential direction fromrthe periphery of the segment, means one of said rotary members, and means establishing a tie connection between the adjoining edges of adjacent segments such as resists circum-` ferential separating forces between the segments and also prevents relative radial movement beof said segments, said .outer the periphery of the segments, bolts securing said free ends to the outer edge of said flywheel, and tie means extending between the adjoining edges of Y adjacent segments and disposed adjacent the peripheries ofA saidA segments inside the free ends ofv adjacent attaching arms, said tie means increasing the hoop strength f the assembly of segments and also preventing relative radial movement between adjacent segments when installed in operative relationship.

15. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from onev rotary member to another, the combination of 'a clutch disc carried by one of said rotary membersand adapted to engage a cooper! ating clutch element carried by the other rotary lmember, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segments adapted to be removed from the clutch assembly in separated relation, a iiexible mounting arm extending from each of said seg.- ments and having attachment to one of said rotary members, and tongue and groove joint means formed at the adjoining edges ofadjacent sections for holding said edges against relative axial displacement, while permitting predetermined edgewise motion between said segments to effect their separation.

for attaching said arms to Y tween adjacent segments wheninstalled in -operl,

ative relationship.

13. In a clutchvadapted to connect two rotary members,` the combination of a clutch disc carried by one to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary member, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segmental sections separately removable and replaceable in the clutch assembly, a plurality of flexible attaching arms for each segment joined at one end to the segments and having their free ends extending in a generally circumferential direction spaced outwardly from the periphery of the segment, means' for attaching said free ends to one of said rotary members, and tie means extending between the adjoining edges of adjacent segments and disposed adjacent the peripheries of said segments of said rotary members andadapted inside the free ends of adjacent attaching arms,

said tie means resisting circumferential separating forces acting between the segments and also preventing relative radial movement between 16. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combination of `a clutch disc carried by one of said rotary members and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by the other rotary member, said clutch disc comprising a plurality of segments adapted to be removed substantially edgewise in separated relation from' the periphery of the clutch assembly, a flexible mounting arm extending fromeach of said segments and having attachment to one of said rotary members, inter- .locking means carried byl said segments serving to transmit stresses from one of said segments to another, and joint means associated with said segments forholding the edges of the segments against relative llateral displacement.

17. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member to another, the combination of a clutch disc revolving with one of said rotary members and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element revolving with the other of said rotary members, said clutch disc comprising a pluralityviof attaching arms extending therefrom, and adjustable mounting members carried by one of said rotary members for mounting said attaching arms, said mounting members comprising cooperating threaded sleeves and screws threading into said rotary member to different positions of adjustment. and clamping said attaching arms therebetween. Y

18. In a clutch adapted to transmit rotation from one rotary member t'o another, the combination of a clutch disc carried by a rst rotary 2,303,201'V I f 7 member and adapted to engage a cooperating clutch element carried by a second rotary member, Sad clutch dis c comprising a plurality of segments, flexible mounting arms extending from said segments, and adjustable mounting devices for said mounting arms carried by said rst rof tary member and comprising threaded sleeves screwing into said rotary member for defining ad,- Justable inner stops i'or said mounting arms, ann

also comprising screws passing through said sleeves for defining adjustable outer stops forv 5 said mounting arms. f

CLARENCE M. EASON'. 

